This route is not described in any guidebook. It involves a series of events that more closely resemble a movie ending. (Suggested: rent Cheaper by the Dozen 2).
Kayak and AccessoriesThe forecast for Saturday, June 26th, called for scorching hot temperatures. I was faced with the decision to either do some yard work or take my four year old daughter on a kayak trip, but I wanted to do either before the heat set in. My wife, Jean, though eight months pregnant and not up to a kayak trip herself, encouraged me to take the kayak trip for some bonding time with my daughter. It would also give me a chance to try out the deck bag accessory which was my Father's day present.
As a result, Saturday morning found me in the quiet pools of Lacamas Lake, weaving through lily pads in search of animal life. An osprey dove and caught a fish, but my camera skills were not up to capturing this moment. A great blue heron was not interested in posing. I finally succeeded in capturing a male duck standing over a reclined female, an image that would become more meaningful throughout the day.
Sierra, four, was enjoying the trip from the rear hatch, when the stillness of the morning was broken by the sound of trickling waters. There was no nearby waterfall, nor an imminent leak in the kayak stern. The sound was my cell phone ring tone, from the flip phone dry case(the other accessory I was trying out that day.)
My wife called, apparently just to chat. She did mention that she wasn't sure, but she may be having contractions about 5-6 minutes apart. This was the first indication that the birth was anything less than a month away.
I decided to move up my plans to head for the launch site. It was probably a mile away, but I'd been practicing an efficient forward stroke. I cut down on loading time by taking a "shortcut" through a murky swamp.
A short time later, Sierra and I were in the van, kayak trailer in tow, when we received the second call. Jean's water *may have* broken, so if we haven't already started hurrying back, we may want to. She found it reassuring that we were already in a motorized vehicle.
Road RaceThe van became very important in the next heat of the event. The hospital told Jean to lay down, drink water, and come in when she was 3-4 minutes apart. This gave me time to wash and put away the kayak and trailer, an important detail when it was attached to the van we would need to reach the hospital. I'm not altogether sure that the hospital parking has room for a van with a kayak trailer attached, particularly one stained by the recent shortcut through the swamp.
I packed up several bags and was leaving a message at this website when my wife shouted for me to get off the computer. Contractions had only increased and were four minutes apart. Time to go. We pulled out of the neighborhood in the now unattached van, pawning Sierra off at a neighbor's house on the way out.
A van without a trailer allowed for more skillful maneuvering along the state highway, at the full extent of the speed limit and more. We phoned the maternal grandparents. Yes, they could come to the delivery, but they might miss it. Jean in the meantime was progressing down to one minute apart and was in quite a bit of pain. I ran a red light near the hospital, but somehow didn't struggle with guilt.
Express DeliveryThe next heat of the event involved some team relays, and required agility of foot, strength, and communication. I dropped Jean off at the Family Birth Center and went to park the car. I returned at a good sprint with four bags in my hands.
Jean had a convincing performance at the checkin counter, although she showed no interest in paperwork. When she had two contractions and threw up at the counter, this convinced the nurses to give us the nearest room.
The nurses' attention turned to finding us a doctor, an objective with which we also had a vested interest. You would think they would be plentiful at a hospital. No time for meds, although she asked for them with a bit of urgency; she was already dilated to 9cm.
They did find a doctor for those last six minutes of delivery, and he was also helpful in stitching her up afterwards. Meanwhile, I followed the baby to nursery as they cooked her a bit longer and ran some basic diagnostics.
Shortly, we did have a happy reunion where Jean got to meet Sydney Kay, 6lbs 12 ounces, 18.5 inches long. I praised my wife for being "efficient". Checkin: 12:35pm. Delivery Complete: 1:02pm. Being there: priceless.
Sydney's initial lizard-like appearance wore off and you could appreciate her dark furry hair.
After a few days, we were released for good behavior, and Sydney got to go home with her proud big sister.
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